Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Residents wanted for potential Elmwood School committee as property nears end of use

FILE PHOTO/STEVE McGRATH

The town is looking to get a head start on planning for the future of the Elmwood School property.

A survey released by the town earlier this week seeks resident interest in forming a new committee to evaluate Elmwood’s future. Residents are encouraged to fill out the Google Form to indicate their interest in serving on the committee. The survey will remain open until July 15.

If formed, the committee could “conduct a planning process that includes community and town department outreach, and ultimately [recommend] a plan for reuse and/or disposition to the Select Board for the building and the property,” according to the survey.

“The decision as to what the future of the building and the 19.3 acres of land will be is an important one,” the survey also notes.

Assistant Town Manager Lance DelPriore explained this process is in its early stages, but the town wants to come up with ideas for Elmwood “on a more accelerated timeline.” He drew a comparison to the town’s ongoing efforts with the Center School property, which was closed in 2017 as students were moved to the new Marathon School.

Town committees have discussed what to do with Center School since 2018. Ideas for the property have included mixed-use development and tearing down the 1928 building and its two additions due to maintenance costs.

A proposal to turn the property into a shared-use space in a public-private partnership with the Hopkinton Center for the Arts began gathering steam in late 2024. Community Preservation funds since have been allocated to the project, and early design plans are in development.

“We’ll take some of the lessons learned from the Center School process and move forward with Elmwood,” DelPriore explained. He added that town leadership hopes for a more streamlined process without many stops and starts.

When asked about ideas for the Elmwood property, DelPriore said that the hope is for the committee to consider all options. Whether it will be reused or sold to bring back some revenue to the town, “We’ll keep everything on the table and do what’s best for the community,” he said.

Elmwood is being phased out in part because of the building’s age and maintenance issues. “That, coupled with enrollment numbers, got us to the table trying to get a new building here in the district,” said Hopkinton Public Schools Superintendent Evan Bishop.

Bishop added that the new Charleswood School is anticipated to open for the 2027-28 school year and will house Grades 2-4. This, he said, will help the district move grades around in other schools — particularly Hopkinton Middle School. Bishop noted that by making HMS only Grades 7-8 and moving Grade 6 to Hopkins, the school will have more flexibility and space for students.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

This week’s Police Log features reports of a vandalized car, an individual ripping down missing cat posters and someone night fishing.

Alexander Toloczko, 32, passed away June 22. He was a 2012 graduate of Hopkinton High School.

Town meetings tonight include the Charter Review Committee (7).

Photo of the Day

Runners take off from the start line at the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition’s annual Against the Tide event at Hopkinton State Park on Saturday.

PHOTO/MASSACHUSETTS BREAST CANCER COALITION